Book Review – No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston

No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston is the book 1 of the Matthews Family series. It’s a story of Tess and how she was able to find love the second time around. This book is pretty much like a sweet Lifetime movie and it was surprisingly a fine read considering the large amount of sexy scenes.

No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston | Blushing Geek No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston
Series: The Matthews Family, #1
First Published on January 12, 2012
Genre: Erotica, Romance, Contemporary
372 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Buy: Book Depository, Amazon
Find on Goodreads

Life isn’t about tomorrow ~ Life is about today

After losing her husband to a sudden heart attack, Tess Mathews escapes to Bora Bora to lay her husband and sorrow to rest. What she doesn’t expect is a new beginning.

Tom Clemmins is an A-list actor whose life revolves around work and an onslaught of women. He travels to Bora Bora for a much-needed break. Tom has a few ideas of how he’ll enjoy his vacation, but love isn’t one of them. Until he sees Tess.

Reserving a private shark-feeding excursion to scatter her husband’s ashes into the lagoon, Tess is furious when Mr. Hollywood bribes his way onto the boat, leaving her no other choice but to share the boat ride.

Tess is torn between tremendous guilt and zealous lust when their boat ride turns into a week full of romance and desire neither thought imaginable. Utterly smitten with a woman for the first time in his life, Tom casts his commitment phobia aside and whisks Tess off to Malibu where he introduces her as his “girlfriend” on the red carpet.

As the paparazzi besiege, can Tess survive the media blitz that ensues in order to find her second chance at love?

Review

When I found out that the main characters were in their forties, I said, what the heck?! A few days ago, I’ve just read Dating a Cougar, This Time Forever and then Answered Prayers and all of them had main characters in their 40s or 50s. It was crazy because of all the books in my TBR, I happen to read these set of books in just a month. I guess it’s a sign for something? Haha.

Btw, No More Wasted Time is about Tess who found love two times. Crazy eh? You see, a year ago, her husband died of heart attack and she was left broken hearted and so wasted. She decided to go to Bora Bora to finally let him go. The place holds a very special place to the both of them so she picked that place to scatter her husband’s ashes. But she didn’t expect that on the same trip, she’s not just saying goodbye to her lost love but will also welcoming a new love in the person of the popular Hollywood actor Tom Clemmins.

The first few pages was ok, but when I reached the middle, the story seems dull. There’s a lot of sexy scenes and I SKIPPED the most part. For a story like this, I wasn’t expecting a Fifty Shades of Grey remake lol.

I don’t usually like romance stories were the hero or the heroine is a celebrity but there are of course times when I enjoyed it, one example was the Cinder & Ella series, but I particularly love the second book though *wink. And just like a typical celebrity romance, the conflict of this story ranges from rumors, spreading false and malicious issues through magazines, some flirty ex’s who wants to steal her man and rude paparazzi. While those were cliché, I still enjoyed reading about Tess doing her best to fit in and not get overwhelmed with everything. And dang! This girl sure has the guts and sass haha.

The conflict was actually fine as I’m used to it already, but what pisses me off was Tess’s reaction of it. I understand what she feels, but I still think it’s better to hear what’s his side first before doing anything stupid. It’s funny because at first I see her character as one matured woman who raised her children to be good adults, but after her somewhat childish behavior, that image in my head is now a blur.

And nope, I’m not yet done telling you what are the things I hate in this story, well, this last one isn’t really a total hate for me, maybe a bit annoyed but definitely not hate. This story is not just full of sexy scenes but it has a LOT of happy scenes. I should be happy eh? But it’s crazy, life isn’t all happy. Ofcourse this one has some few conflicts, but I still think it focus more on the happy ones. Thus, making this story quite unrealistic. But ofcourse, I won’t deny that there were times that I enjoyed some of it, for it’s not always that you encounter a hero with that kind of dedication to make sure the heroine is happy.

Thinking about it now, Tom and Tess’s story makes me think of George and Amal Clooney. I’m not sure with the ages but both George and Tom wasn’t planning on getting married ever, though I haven’t heard anything negative about George and Tom certainly is a ladies’ man, but whenever he fuss about Tess, I can’t see how’s that possible haha.

I don’t have any negative complaints about Tom’s character, maybe he was just a little too perfect but most of us wants that eh? Even if we know nobody’s perfect. Really, I don’t have anything bad thing to say about his character, he’s just…perfect. I love how he takes good care of Tess and his relationship to her children.

And speaking of children. Dang! I adore Tess’s children, they’re all adorable especially John. I love their relationship to each other and it looks so perfect really. I love how responsible all of them are especially the eldest and the only guy, John.

For Tess, well, I do love her character at the early chapters. She’s broken hearted of her husband’s death but that didn’t stopped her from appreciating life. You could also notice how kind and honest her character is. I do understand the guilt and all, but I hated the part where she got so angry that she never let him explain. The thing I hated the most is when they assume and refrain from hearing the side of other person involved. I guess that’s the thing I hated about her.

As you can notice, I do have a lot of dislikes than likes in this story but I am still giving it a 3 star rating. I guess the reason behind that is Tom being so charming all the time and Tess’s relationship with her children. Didn’t I tell you I love reading stories were family gets along so well? Hehe.

Even though this story has lots of sexy scenes, it still gave me something to think about. You see, most of us just work and work, but Tess pointed out the importance of enjoying ourselves sometimes. I do love her theory about it actually.

And another thing I’ve learn while reading this story and the other stories with main leads in their 40s and 50s is that, there’s no age limit when it comes to love. It always come on its perfect time and place.

Favorite Quotes

I’m mean, my financial theory has always been, give some, save a lot and have fun with the rest. You can’t take it with you when you go, Tom. I’m not sure what you mean. I want to be with you, like the last three weeks. You are my definition of a girlfriend.

Challenges

Other Books In The Series

Preview & About The Author

Beverly Preston | Blushing Geek USA Today and Amazon Top 5 Bestselling Author, Beverly Preston has been a stay at home mom for 21 years, although she prefers the title Domestic Engineer. As her children begin to venture out on their own, she’s left to shed a tear—for a minute—wonder what’s next in life, and embrace the feeling of empowerment that surely must’ve been wrapped in a present she received on her fortieth birthday.